Striking device



Feb. 11, 1969 J, A, DONATO 3,427,021

STRIKING DEVICE Filed April 4, 1966 5&5@

Fig. 5

IN VEN TOR JOHN A.' DONATO United States Patent O 2 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A striking device having telescopic tubes, one carrying a striking pad at its free end and the other being mounted on a base attachable to a supporting surface, spaced ball bearing assemblies between the tubes at axially spaced locations to provide bearing support and guidance of one tube by the other, a spring disposed within the telescoped tubes to resiliently urge the striking pad away from the base, and cables interconnecting the striking pad and base to limit movement of the striking pad away from the base, the cables having a spring-connected anchor with the base to absorb shock upon rebound of the striking pad away from the base. The telescoping tubes are attached to the base by an angularly adjustable connector. The connector comprises two plates, one attached to the base and having a plurality of holes therein. Attached to the tubes is the second plate which is also pivotally attached to the irst plate and has at least one hole therein. A removable pin extends through one of the holes in the first plate and the hole in the second plate to prevent relative angular movement therebetween.

My invention relates to striking devices, such as punching pads, bags and the like utilized in exercising.

My invention is directed toward providing a device which has a head or movable part which may be punched, Struck or hit, such as by the closed st of a boxer practicing punching or by the side of the open hand of a person practicing karate or the like. The device is provided with a head which to a degree resists the blow thereon in being punched or struck, resiliently yields under the blow to a retracted position, and then quickly returns to a forward position ready to receive another blow, the device being constructed to accommodate itself to the rotation of the st or hand striking the head so as to permit the rotation movement to continue as the lirst or hand moves forward, causing the head to simultaneously yield to the retracted position. The device is also constructed so as to be adjustably positioned at desired angles to the horizontal, and to be mounted to a wall surface or to a standard or oor support.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved striking device constructed to meet the above described aims or desired results.

Another object is the provision of a striking device constructed to permit both resilient yieldability to the impact of the blow on the head of the device in an axial direction but also to permit rotation of the head at the same time about said axis in order to permit the list or hand striking the head to readily rotate as it moves forward.

Another object is the provision for proper guidance of the head of a striking device in an axial path, for resilient yieldability to the blow on the head moving in such axial path toward a retracted position, and for a resilient return of the head to extended position ready for another blow.

Another object is the provision for adjustable features in the construction of such a device adjusting the axis of the device along which the pad is moved when being struck, to various determined angles to the horizontal, so

as to permit the device to be used by persons of diiferent sizes and also to permit the head to be struck and moved along different paths relative to the horizontal. For eX- ample, the device may be adjusted so that the head may be struck by an undercut blow, or by a straight horizontal blow, or by a downwardly inclined blow, by the angular adjustment of the device.

Another object is the provision of novel and useful supporting means for such a device.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE l is a longitudinal view, partially in section, of my striking device mounted to a wall and disposed in a horizontal plane, the head being in forward or extended position;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of my device looking in the direction of the arrows 2 2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of my device looking in the direction of the arrows 3 3 of FIGURE 1 FIGURE 4 is a side View of my device mounted on an improved door-supported standard of novel structure, particularly adapted for the purpose; and

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the device on the standard shown in FIGURE 4.

My striking device has a head denoted generally by the reference character 11. This head 11 is carried at the outer or free end of a connecting member indicated generally by the reference character 13, which connecting member 13 is carried by a bracket support, indicated generally by the reference character 12, that is secured to wall 3S.

The head 11 includes a rectangular steel plate 14 upon which is mounted a round board 15 by means of four screw bolts 3S. Disposed on the forward side of board 15 is a pad 16 of sponge rubber or the like of appropriate thickness to absorb some of the shock upon being struck. A canvas cover or cap 1'7 envelops the pad 16 and by means of a drawstring 18 holds the pad 16 irmly to the board 15.

Axially disposed to, and secured to the back side of steel plate 14 by welding 20 is an open-ended tube or cylinder 19 extending in FIGURE 1 in a horizontal plane. Also secured to the steel plate 14 by welding or other suitable means is a metal guide post 21 disposed along the axis of cylinder 19. Hence the cylinder 19 is concentric of post 21.

Telescopically mounted in cylinder 19 is an open-ended tube or cylinder 24 having a smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of cylinder 19 as seen in the drawing. A iirst ball-bearing assembly 25 is disposed between cylinders 24 and 19, and concentrically thereof adjacent a rst shoulder 27 formed in the inner wall of cylinder 19. A second ball-bearing assembly 26 is disposed between cylinders 24 and 19, and concentrically thereof, adjacent a second shoulder 28 formed in the inner wall of cylinder 19. The dimensions of the shoulders 27 and 28, the adjacent portions of the bore of cylinder 19 are such that the assemblies 25 and 26 may be positioned in the spaced locations shown and there rmly held by the shoulders against displacement in an axial direction. The balls of assemblies 25 and 26 provide a good bearing between cylinders 19 and 24 in the telescopic action of one moving axially of the other.

A coil spring 23 is positioned within the telescoped tubes or cylinders 19 and 24 and about the guide post 21. The length and bias of coil spring 23 is such that it resiliently urges the head 11 to its extended or forward position illustrated in FIGURE l but is resiliently yieldable to a blow on the head 11 aimed axially of connecting member 13 toward wall 3S.

The other end of tube or cylinder 24, closest to bracket support 12, is secured by welding 44 or other suitable means to a steel plate 43. This plate 43 in turn is secured by four bolts 50 to a steel angle piece 39. This angle piece 39 has a iiange portion 39A disposed at right angles to, and extended away from, plate 43.

Secured to wall 38 by bolts 37 is a plate 36. This plate 35 has a ange portion 36A disposed at right angles to the wall 38 and extended forwardly so as to be in sideby-side relationship with flange portion 39A of angle piece 39. The flange portions 36A and 39A are held together by a i'irst bolt 4t). There are a plurality of holes 42 in flange portions 36A and 39A disposed around and on opposite sides of bolt 40, and by selectively registering diierent ones of these holes 42 in the flanges 36A and 39A a plurality of angular positions of the connecting member 13 relative to a horizontal plane may be obtained and the parts iixed in the desired angular position by means of a second bolt 41 mounted in aligned openings. In the selection of holes shown in FIGURE l, the bolt 41 has been inserted in such holes as to position the connecting member 13 in a horizontal position. As seen, the device may be adjusted so that the path of movement of head 11 may be horizontal or at different angles or incliaations to the horizontal.

A rubber pad 22 is mounted in cylinder 19 adjacent the steel plate 14. The lengths of the cylinders or tubes 19 and 24 are such that upon the connecting member 13 being contracted to its most retracted position, that is, with the head 11 moved closest to wall 38, the outer end of cylinder 24 abuts the pad 22 before the end of cylinder 19 can strike or engage the plate 43. Thus, even in the most extreme position of complete retraction, the cylinder 19 is prevented from engaging plate 43.

Joining the head 11 and bracket support 12 are a pair of cables 29 and 30 spaced diametrically apart on opposite sides of connecting member 13. At one end the cables 29 and 30 are connected to plate 14 by means of anchor pins 33 to which the respective cables are attached. The cables 29 and 31) extend through small openings 14A and 14B, respectively, which are big enough for the cables to go through, but not big enough for the anchor pins to go through. The pins 33 are accommodated in recesses A and 15B provided in board 15. To absorb shock small rubber Washers 31 are disposed around the cables between pins 33 and plate 14. As seen in the drawings, the cables 29 and 3i) are thus secured to the plate 14.

The other ends, respectively, of cables 29 and 30 arev secured by means or" spring clips 29A and 30A to eyebolts 45 which extend through aligned openings in plate 43 and angle piece 39. A iirst pair of coil springs 47 are mounted concentrically on the respective eyebolts 45 on one side of plate 43 and a second pair of coil spring 48 are mounted concentrically on the respective eyebolts 45 on the other side of plate 43. The plate 43 has recesses 43A for accommodating the one end, respectively of springs 47. Ends of springs 48 are disposed in corresponding recesses found in angle piece 39. The openings in plate 43 through which the eyebolts 45 pass are small enough in diameter to prevent the springs 47 and 48 from passing therethrough while permitting the eyebolts 45 to freely reciprocate axially of the openings. Nut and washer assemblies 49 on the ends of eyebolts 45 provide abutments for springs 4S. The resilient bias of springs 47 and 48 is such as to hold the eyebolts 45 in a condition of equilibrium, as illustrated in the positions shown in FIGURE 1. Springs 47 keep the eyebolts 45 resiliently held lirmly to the left, as seen in FIGURE l, and minimize shaking or rattling of the eyebolts relative to plate 43 and angle piece 39. Springs 4S resiliently absorb shock imposed on the bracket support 12, and particularly plate 43 and angle piece 39, upon the head 11 rapidly moving back to its extended position under the resilient force of coil spring 23 after being struck and depressed. The shock and energy of the sudden pull on cables 29 and 31B is absorbed by the springs 48.

The coil spring 23 may be easily replaced by another spring of similar length but of weaker or stronger tension. For some users, a heavy strong spring 23 may be desired and for other users a relatively weaker spring 23 may be desired. Also, for the same user but desiring to use the device for different types of exercise, diierent strengths of springs may be desired, as for example, in striking the head with the list in a boxers punch or in striking the head with the side of the hand in the blow used in karate.

To replace the spring 23, the user presses against the head 11 as with his body and While the spring is depressed and the cables 29 and 30 are slack, the spring clips 29A and 30A are unfastened from eyebolts 45. This permits the cylinders 19 and 24 to be disassembled and one spring 23 removed and another spring 23 inserted. Thereafter, the cylinders 19 and 24 are again telescopically assembled and spring clips 29A and 30A connected to eyebolts 45.

It is to be noted that cables 29 and 30 being flexible connections permit the head 11 to rotate on the axis of cylinders 19 and 24 as the head moves back and forth on this axis, both upon being moved toward the Wall 38 and away from the wall 38. This compound movement accommodates for the twisting or swiveling action of the users iist as the user, such as a boxer, strikes out in the usual boxing stroke.

In FIGURES 4 and 5, I show an improved floor-supported standard for supporting my striking device. The standard 51 is in the form of a frustum of a quadriangular pyramid, that is, a pyramid with a flattened or cutoff top. It has four legs 52 extending downwardly and inclined away from each other. These legs 52 are joined at their top by four lateral pieces 55, and on three sides by braces 53 and 54, the standard being open on one side. A cross-plate 56 extends between, and is joined to, braces 53 and 54 on opposite sides of the standard. The bracket support 12 in turn is secured to cross-plate 56. The legs 52 are anchored to oor 57 by bolts 58. The standard provides stability and a iirm support for the striking device.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description.

Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be restorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A striking device comprising the combination of a base adapted to be carried by a support, a strikable member adapted to be struck and to be moved under the impact toward the base, telescopic means disposed along an axis interconnecting said strikable member and base for guiding the movement of the strikable member toward and away from said base along said axis, said telescopic means including an inner and outer tube in telescopic interengagement having an annular space therebetween, bearing means carried by the telescopic means Within said annular space extending radially between said tubes at axially spaced locations therealong for providing support and guidance of one tube by the other tube at said axially spaced locations, said bearing means being disposed in said annular space between said tubes and maintaining the spacing therebetween during telescopic movement of the tubes, a coil spring mounted in said telescopic means and biased to resiliently urge said strikable member away from said base and to yield to the movement under impact of the strikable member toward the base, limiting means interconnecting said base and strikable member for limiting movement away from said base and permitting the limited movement under impact of the strikable member toward the base, said limiting means including a pair of exible cables disposed on opposite sides of the axis of said tubular members, each cable having one end operatively connected to the strikable member and an opposite end operatively connected to said base member, said limiting means also including spring means operatively connecting each of said cables at one end thereof to one of said strikable member and base member to absorb the shock imposed on the cables by the rebound of the strikable member, after being struck toward said base member, in response to the resilient bias of said coil spring in the telescopic means, said base including adjustable angle adjusting means for adjusting, and for fixing as adjusted, the angular disposition of the telescopic means along said axis from said base.

2. A striking device comprising the combination of a base member adapted to be carried by a support, a rst tubular member carried by and extending from the base member along an axis, a second tubular member telescopically interengaged with said lirst tubular member and movable relative thereto along said axis, the telescoped tubular members being spaced radially of each other to define an annular space therebetween, a pair of ball bearing assemblies disposed in said annular space and positioned at axially'spaced locations, respectively, said ball bearing assemblies providing bearing support and guidance of one tubular member by the other tubular member at said axially spaced locations, a striking member carried by the free end of said second tubular member to be movable therewith and disposed normal to said axis, a coil spring disposedl in the telescoped tubular members and biased to resiliently urge the striking member away from said base member, the telescopic interconnection of said tubular member permitting the striking member to rotate on said axis relative to the base member, limiting means operatively interconnecting said base member and striking member to limit axial movement of the striking member away from the base member and rotational movement of the striking member on said axis as it moves away from said base member, said limiting means including at least one exible cable displaced laterally of said axis including spring-biased anchoring means anchoring one end of. said cable to said base member and resiliently biased to urge said cable toward said base member in opposition to the resilient bias of said coil spring for absorbing shock on said cable upon the rebound movement of the striking member away from the base member under the resilient bias of said coil spring after the striking member is struck toward said base member, said base member including angle adjusting means for adjustably fixing the angular disposition of the axis of said tubular members relative to a horizontal plane.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 799,270 9/ 1905 Roland 272-83 3,144,251 8/ 1964 Gainey et al 272-83 XR 3,268,225 8/ 1966 Kbcl 272-83 3,365,947 1/ 1968 Janich et al 272--83 XR RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. PAUL E. SHAPIRO, Assistant Examiner. 

